PM assures to ensure probity in public life

New Delhi, Feb 24: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday Feb 24 said that the government will do everything to ensure probity in public life and take action against wrongdoers, if there was evidence.

"Unfortunate developments have taken place in the areas of telecom and CWG; I assure the House there is nothing we will not do to clean our public life," Singh said in his reply to the President's speech in the Lok Sabha.

"If there is a scam, it must be dealt with the law of the land. Law of the land must punish the wrongdoers," Singh stressed.

He said that the government will cooperate with all agencies including the proposed Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the investigations till the truth is brought out.

He said that some unfortunate developments have taken place in Telecom sector and Commonwealth Games and these are being addressed.

He said action has been taken where there was actionable evidence and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is on the trail of wrong doers.

He however said that there is nothing wrong in the basic telecom policy pursued by the government but the problem was with the way it was implemented.

On the issue of black money, Singh said: "We are one with the Opposition that everything should be done to bring back black money stashed abroad."

Emphasising that all constructive suggestions would be considered, Singh said: "We will sit together with parties and seek their help to see how black money problem can be dealt with."

ANI